Yarn-cleaner and slub-catcher



g- 1931- G. N. TAYLOR 1,817,937

YARN CLEANER AND SLUB CATCHER Filed Oct. 11. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 11, 1931. G. N. TAYLOR 1,317,937

YARN CLEANER AND SLUB CATCHER Filed Oct. 11. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 wwahm #W Patented Aug. 11, 1931 i UNITED sTATEs P TE OFFICE ear-me Marmara EAST rimvm im moneisnmassmm r UNIVERSAL:

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mw ma i b ana acm Application iiieq hctoli er 11, 1 92?? serial' 225,553.

This inv'ention relates to an improved yarn-cleaner and siub catcher for use with winding machines a'n'd other textile apjpar'atus. I

5 A principal objector the invention is to provide a device'of the type Specified for cleaning lint; fl'ulf, specks and other foreign matter from yarn, thread or other filaments and for detecting the presence of slubs, knots,

bunches and other enlargements on the strand to break th'e'la'tter so that the impere'cion ma he removed and the ends pieced up agai"; 7

' Ahoth er object of the invention is to provide a ld'evice of the type specified which is extremely sensitive ,in'action and prompt in operation to breakthe strand uponthe detection of the ship, knot, bunch 'orother enlargement. i heather object of the invention is to provide devic of the type specified having cooperating yarn-cleaningeleinehts which may be adjiisted with the utmost precision and M accu a y in ma am w h the s or h ness of the strand to be operated upon.

Another object of'the invention is to provide a device of the type specified which may he adj usted to operate with the proper degree of sensitiveness so that light oh'strii cti'ons such as lint fi'ufi he scraped off from the yarn without causing the sluhcatcher to be tripped and actuated to break the strand.

Ahother object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified which is simple in construction, economical to Ina-nufacture and proof against derangement or se ting 91. i r er Fi rther objects of the improvement areset forth n the renew ng specification "which describes a preierred form of const ructi'on 9f t ii l i n ipi 4 ust et i'b he' b ra in l mv hs Ile the 'd ev i Fig. 1 is a persp ctive ofthe iiiiprov'ed yarn-cleaner and Shh-catcher;

, 2 is a sideview of'thesame'sh'owing the device as applied to use with a tensiondevice for tensioning the strand; i pla i view o f'the yarn-cleaner and shit-catcher;

Fig, 4 is a front view ofthe same; Fig. 5 is-a plan view of the device in section taken' on line 5 -5 of Fig; Figs. 6 and 7 are perspective views-in dietail of'the two cooperative yarn-cleaning and "slab-detecting elements of the device;

Fig.- 8 is a detail view in perspective 'oftlie eccentric rod or spindle for adjusting the relation of the yarn-cleaning and slub-detectelements of the device; and

Fig.9 is a perspective view ofthe frictionmeans for retaining the rod in adjusted p o sition' The present improved yarn-cleaner and slub-c'atcher is adapted for use with various types of textile apparatus, particularly winding or like machines, to clean the yarn, thread or other filament during its transfer in various processes of conversion or treatment. In the present embodiment of the invention the device is shown as adapted for use in cooperation with a tension-device. The tensioncleyice may be of any preferred construction and, as illustrated in 20f the present drawings, it comprises a pair of opposite fanshaped grids 2 provided with a series of porcelain bars or fingers 3, The fingers 3 on the opposite grids are arranged in alternate relation so that when the grids are adjusted in operative position the fingers are stag- I gered to cause the strand of yarn y to'follow a-tortuous .or sinuous course thereover, At elther endof the gr ds 2 are fixed porc'elam guides .4 across which the strand y leads it -draws over the bars or fingers 3 a curved course.

' The tensionrid's 2 are adj ustably mounted on a bracke j5 which may be attached to the frame 'of the windii g machine or other apparatus to project aterally therefrom. Conveniently, the bracket 5 may be employed a mounting or support for the improved yarnfcleanjer'and sluhcat'cher which forms the subject-matter of the present application. For this purposethe bracketfi' is provided on its to pwith a Hat pad or rest 6 formed with a transverse slot or groove 7. The frame or mounting 10 for the yarn-cleaner and'slubcatcher is preferahly constructedzfrornsheetmetaf m me-form of an angle-shapel'plate 5 side of the base 11 the metal is sheared away to form narrow strips 14 which are bent down at an angle, see 1, to'adapt them to engage in the transverse groove 7 in the pad or.

.rest 6... The strips 14 thus serve as splines or keys tomaintainthe frameIO in proper. position on 'its rest -6 while adapting it to he slid laterally one way or the ,other to adjust the yarn-cleaning and slub-catching elements in alinement with the tension-device mounted on the bracket 5. The frame 10 comprises a vertical-plate 15 bent upwardly from the base 1].,antl serving as a support for a strand-guide 16 secured'ther'eto .by means of a screw 17. The. strand-guide 16 maybe of any suit-able form and as hereinshown comprises-a circular porcelain button having -a-central hole for; the screw 17;and a notch orgroove'lS in (its upper {edge adapted :to guide the strand draavingl therethrough. w

At the frontofthe frame 10 are two vertic'alears2O bentup from the sides of the base. 11 as shown most clearly in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The ears 20 are provided with suitable, holes for receiving. screws 21 which serve-as the pivotal supports for a frame or .cradle 25 which carriessthe operating-ele- 1nentsof theyarn cleaner and slub-catcher.

lBy loosening. the screws 21 the frame or cradle 25 may be tiltedinto different angular positions. see Fig. 2, to ad ust the position of .the operating-mechanism of the device in the manner and -for. :the purpose as later more particularly explained. When the screws are tightenedthe cradle 25 will be held in its adjusted position with its sides clamped against the cars 20 onthe frame 10, and for convenience of illustration I have shown the cradle 25 as standing in vertical position in 'Figs; 1 3, 4 and 5, to which reference will be made. to describe the construction of the device. v

The cradle 25 is preferably constructed of sheet-metal comprising a base-strip 26 with two arms 27 rising from the rearward edge thereof. Extending forwardly from the sides of the arms 27 are two ears 28 which are provided with threaded holes 29 for receiving the ends of the screws 21, previously referred to as the supports for he cradle. The arms or uprights 27 of the cradle 25 are bent forwardly at the top to provide ears 30 extending parallel with and in opposite relation to the base-strip 26. Extending between the base-strip 26 and the ears 30 are two opposite parallel rods or pins 31 fixedly secured therein at their ends by riveting or other-means.

- The pins 31 serve as the pivots for a pair bf'cdoperating scraper-blades and slub-de- -tecting elements 34 and 35, shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 7. The two elements 34 and 35 are of substantially the same form and construction, being struck up from sheet-metal and bent into the required shape. Each member 34 or 35 comprises a flat bottom strip 36 provided at one end with an upstanding blade 37 which terminates in acurved or sickle-shaped-extension 38. At the opposite end of the bottom strip 36 is an upstanding arm 39 formed with an ear 40 bent over in opposite parallel relation to the bottom strip 36. The bottom strip 36 and theeal. 40 on the element, 34 are pierced or drilled with holes 41, see Fig. 6, for receiving the lefthand pivot-pin 31 on the cradle 25. The other member 35 has larger holes 42 in its bottom-plate36 and upper ear 40 adapted to receive the enlarged eccentric portions of an .adjustingspindle or rod 45, shown in Fig. 8

and to be later described. Projecting downwardly from the bottom plate 36 on the member 34.is a pin 43 adapted to engage with a slot 44 in the bottom plate36 of the member I when the two members are mounted in cooperative relation on .in Figs. 3and- 5.

the cradle 25 as shown The adj nsting spindle or rod 45, shown Fig. 8, has a bore 46by means'ofwhich it is rotatably mounted on the right-hand pivotpin 31 on the cradle 25. Its central portion is reduced in diameter at 47, and at either side thereof are enlarged hubs or bosses 48 which are disposed eccentrically with respect to its longitudinal bore 46. The bottom of the spindle seats against the bottom strip 26 of the cradle 25, as shown most clearly in Fig. 4 of the drawings, and-the enlarged eccentric bosses' 48 engage with the holes42 in the bottom plate 36 and ear'4O on the member 35 .when the latter is assembled in cooperative relation with respect to the other member 34 pivoted directly on the left-hand pin-31. The

upper end of the spindle or rod 45 is flattedoff at 49 to adaptit to be engaged by a spanner-wrench whereby it may be rotated to adjust the position of the member 35 with respect to the member in the manner and for the purpose as later more fully explained.

Friction detent-means are provided for retaining the spindle 45 in its adjusted position As herein illustrated the detent-means comprises a bowrotatively of its bearing-pin 31.

ed. spring 50, shown-in detail in Fig. 9, which 18 disposed between the arm 39 of the member 35 and the side of the ad usting spindle 45.

The spring 50 is provided with an upper cross strip or T-head51 having lugs 52 bent over from its ends to adapt them to straddle the sides of he arm 39 whereby to hold the spring in place with its lower edge resting against the bottom strip 36 of the member 35. Reaching forwardly from the bowed portion of the spring 50 are two cars 53 which straddle the central reduced portion 47 of the spindle 45 -to hold the spring in place laterally. The

detent-member 50 is snappedrinto place be- 52 1. Xi zih i. t. .:ii.. V trgeeiifhe s indle 45 and thearm 39 of the posed in substantial alinemez'it' that their iijcl inf h'n opfeniii" lth i'o'ngh which strand Omani, draws in the la'te' r more fi'ill'fiielzj lained. ,The oppose fr oithe hlz de's. .37- i re. fire'feralily ground to a b'eigel i n hig nmmr of iilltiiife hl adeas shown in Fi s. 3 am. 5 of the draw-5111s.; The npperenf d efttt nsions of the blades 37 form a reentraht guide-Way" for directing thestrand into plate to :ldhpt'it tO diIHYF hetive'en thelniife .e' l .gres of the blades the i ia'nner %!S il.llll1'zlt in :piitl Preferably, the lcniteed es 5'7 e ciitan 'ay at the hottoii'i to form an o'periiii rhfi fe tile escape of dirt; lint and other ftii'ei'gh iiiatter which collects on the blades zinjddrops don-2i through the slit It iiilllllie seen that it hthe parts asst-unliledin the relation as above explaiiied the t vo hlalde-1i"en'1her's 34 and pro hinged in obpositerelfition to adript the r knife e'l 'z'es 57 th't'lose t-ti iether to seize or bite'the yarn l !'a \i'iii 1,therethi'ougln The blades '91-- rhall maintained withiheir Ctifi'iSlh opposit'e relation by the engagementof the pin 43 on the n em e r vi h the slot 44 in the inemht-r is also to he noted; hat hile the liieii ih 34: iiivots directly on Le. jiin .31, the" ineinher 35' swinfis about the axis of the hubs 180f tlie sninde 45 which are ee ceuti'i ivith'resiqe'ft to the other pin i-li. The axes on ivliieh the two member: 34 and sw ng therefore hl' eea'fised relation, but by turning tlie adjiistirigs piildle its :31 the piv'dtel aiiis of themeinber 35 may be displaeedtowardor aoayjroin the axis of the other member 3% to adjust the relation of the opposed kiiife edges 57 of the hlatles.3fl' In this )vay tlie Width of the opening or slit 56 be'tiie'exi the ,edges of the blade-members may be re ulated in accordance withthe size or thickness oftliejarnto he on et-fated inipqn, the two meiiiberfs' 34 and 35 heiiig normally'held in. the relation show'ri inFig. 3 with knife edges spaced slightly apart. The Blade inemhers;34 and 35 are limit ed in their forgain swin ing movement to hold them in ojeii relation lijf the.- overlappihg engagement o f th'e knife-blade one member with the iteait i'ard edge of the base strip 36 of the other innibei, see Fig. 5. I I In applyi g the present improve-:1 yarnher I .d shib-eateher to use it is arranged iii the pat o f theyarn'fee'gling to the? machi iie in which the inaterialis to he eonverted. Foigexam pie, on Winding mae'hinesit is ared to act on the strand of'ya'rn', thread or pth'r material asthe' latter draws between ,I I- lGYhZe and the wind ng-spindle aqd'sueh aiifladapta'tioii is sn w'n Fig.2 of thp ,Sen't drhwiiigs 'lfhe strand hims froliigisouree of stipiily, not herein shown, a'qiosstlie lower ,gnide ief the; t'erisiomdevice and thence astes iuarurved and tortuous course across the tingersjtl of'the tensiongijids land over-the upper fixed guide 4. From tli'eupper guide 4 the strand 3 draws in sti'iiighteoui'se to the i'xecl guide 16 on the lO, )assnig through the slitor opening S Qh'eth'efen the blade-members 34 and, oi. the ij'ari' -cleanei' and slim-(atelier which is disposed in alii' einent therewith.

As before stated, the franieor mounting '10 for the yarn-e eit er and sluh-eatcher issnpported oii'th'e bracket 5 of the tension-device and may be adjusted transversely there-of by hposeniug the s'rirev: 12 and slid ng the iii-a me on the pad (3 to bring the sl t .56 between the edges of the bl.adememhers 34 and into alineineut with, the course of the strand 7 drawing between the fixed guides 4 and 16. As shown in Fig. 2 of the d airings, the cradle 25 which serves as a mounting for the members 34 and is adjusted at an angle to the perpendicular to hold the blades 27 at suhstaLtia-lly right-angles to the course of the strand 3 This adjustment eli'ected by loosening the serews 2i and tilting the cradle 25; after which the serene are tightened to clamp the. ears ll-ion the cradle against the sicleof the ears on the frame 10; The tiltiiig adjustment of the cradle on the frame 10 is primarily for the purpose of causing the blade-members and 35 to be held in open relation tinder the action of gravity, that is, with their knife edges 57 spaced apartas shown in Figs. 3 and 4t. to provide the slit 56 for the strhnd to draw through. T he width of the slit'between the edges of the blades 3'7 is adjusted by turning the spindle -051 its supporting pin 31, thereby causing the eccentric hubs 48 of the spindle to move the blademember 35 one way or the other with respect to the fixed pivotal mounting of the blade 34 to increase or diminish the width of the slit 56 between the edges of the blades.

The adjustment of the cradle at an angle to the vertical may be altered as required to vary the gravitational effect on the blademembers 34 and 35. That is to say, as the cradle 25 is tilted to a greater degree from the vertical the efiect of gravity to maintain the blades in open relation will be increased, whereas if the cradle is tilted in the opposite direction the force of gravity will be reduced. In this way a greater or less resistance is applied against the closing action of the blades when they are engaged by an obstruction on the running strand. The purpose of this adjustment is to provide the proper resistance to the swinging movement of the blade-members 34 and 35 whereby they will normally act with a delicate contact on the yarn to scrape the accumulation of lint, fluff, specks and e other foreign matter therefrom, while at the same time being sensitive to close together promptly upon the detection of a slub, knot, bunch or other enlargement on the yarn which cannot be freed therefrom under the scraping action. The method of operation of the device is as follows.

As the strand 3 draws up through the tension-device and passes through the slit 56 between the knife edges of the blades 37 it will be acted upon in the manner as previously indicated to scrape off all foreign matter adhering lightly to the yarn, thread or other material. When, however, a slub, knot, bunch or other irremovable enlargement on the yarn encounters the edges of the blades 37 its passage through the slit will be obstructed to cause the blades 34 and 35 to be swung into the position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. That is to say, the blades will be swung upwardly against the force of gravity normally maintaining them open in the position illustrated in Fig. 3 so that their knife edges are brought together as shown in Fig. 5 to seize or bite the yarn. This action causes the yarn to be cut or broken where the sharpened edges 57 of the blades bite thereagainst so that the slub, knot or other enlargement may not pass through the device to the machine wherein the material is being wound or otherwise converted. Usually, the winding machine is provided with a drop-wire or breakage-lever, not herein shown, which is normally supported by the runnin strand and which when re= leased by the breakage thereof is caused to initiate the action of the stopping-mechanism of the machine. In this manner the improved yarn-cleaner and slub-catcher acts automatically to scrape and clear all foreign matter from the strand passing therethrough while also detecting the presence of'slubs, knots,

able to provide for regulating the gravitabunchesand other enlargements on the yarn to cause the latter to be broken so that the imperfection may be removed and the ends pieced up again in the usual manner.

It has been noted that the device is adjust-:-

tional resistance to the swinging action of the blade-members 34 and 35 so as to secure a sensitive action of the scraper-blades. That is to say, thisadjustment provides for setting the blades so that normally they will apply suflicient resistance to the passage of loose matter on the yarn while still being sensitive to detect any enlargement on the strand which cannot be removed to cause the blades to act to positively seize andbreak the strand.

It will further be observed that the present improved device is simple in construction, compact in size and adapted for economical manufacture through the use oftsheet-metal stampings struck up and formed in suitable dies. The device is adapted for convenient adjustment both to regulate the width of the opening or slit through which the strand drawsin accordance with the size or thickness ofithe yarn being operated upon; and to control the degreeof resistance exerted by the scraper-blades to the passage of ob structions on the yarn whereby to secure a sensitive detecting action sponse thereto.

\Vhile I have herein described and illustrated the'improved device in a preferred embodiment and as applied to one specific use it is to be understood that various modifica-- tions may be made in the form and structure of its mechanism and in the method of adapting it to use without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limitation in this respect, I claim:

1. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a base-member having upstanding ears, a cradle having ears at its sides, screws extending through the ears on the base-member and cradle to adjustably secure the latter at different angles of inclination with respect to the vertical, a pair of pivotpins supported in opposite parallel relationship on the cradle, arms pivoted on said pins and extending therefrom in overlying relationship, and blades at the ends of the arms projecting upwardly therefrom in substantially the same plane with their adjacent edges forming a slit through which the yarn draws whereby to clean it of slubs, lint, and other foreign matter.

2. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a frame comprising a base with ears projecting upwardly therefrom, a cradle having a base with ears at its sides and opposite arms rising from the base and formed with ears at the top, means for clamping the ears at the sides of the cradle to the ears on the frame, pivot-pins extending beand a prompt revtween the base of the cradle and the ears at 1:10

the top of its arms, and a pair of scraperblades pivoted on the pins with their edges in opposite spaced relationship to provide a slit through which the yarn draws to scrape slubs, motes, and other foreign matter therefrom.

3. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a support, a cradle adj ustably mounted on the support and having upper and lower bearing-portions, a pair of upright pivot-pins held in parallel spaced relationship in said bearing-portions, and sheet metal arms provided with spaced ears pivoted on said pins and extending toward each other in overlying relationship, said arms having scraper-blades constructed integral therewith and extending perpendicularly therefrom with their edges spaced apart to form a slit through which the yarn draws.

4. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a support, a cradle adjustably mounted on the support to adapt it to be set at different angles to the vertical, pivot-bearings on said cradle, and scraper-members pivoted on said bearings, said members constructed of sheet-metal folded to provide arms extending from the pivots in overlying relationship, and blades projecting at rightangles to the arms with their edges spaced apart to form a slit through which the yarn draws.

5. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a frame having opposite ears and a. rearward wall, yarn-guiding means on said wall, a cradle having ears abutting the ears on the frame and upright portions provided with opposite spaced bearings, screws extending through the ears on the frame and cradle to adjustably secure the latter at different inclinations to the vertical, a pair of pivot-pins extending between the hearings on the cradle, and a pair of scraper-members having spaced bearings mounted on the pivot-pins and arms extending toward each other and carrying blades projecting therefrom with their edges in opposite spaced relationship to form a slit through which the yarn draws.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

GEORGE N. TAYLOR. 

